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Feb. 28, 1939. L. M. Por'rs.

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METER READING RECORDER Fiied oct. 4, 1934 1o sheets-sheet 1o l o I 0 l on o o \3 Ly/ o 7.5216 o 3W d 0 zu m: \N 0 O l O \m o o INVENTOR Anadditional Patented Feb. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l anarcomm READING RECORDER Louis M. Potts. Evanston; IIL

Application October 4,

83 Claims.

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for reading meters usedfor measuring commodities, for example gas. water. or electricity.

It is a general object of this invention to provide automatic methods oftaking the periodic xecordsfrommctersrequirodforhillingpurposes.

and thus'increase the occur-aw ot the records and reduce the cost ot thebilling operations.

It is a further object to make the records under the direct control cithe indicating elements in the meter.

Afnrther obiectistomake sucharecordin a form suitable tor automaticallycontrolling 8&-

15 counting and billing machines such as the well known machinescontrolled by cards having Per foutloos-corresponding to the fundamentaldata. Another object of the invention is to provide a small unitarydevice which may be convenientLv 2o carried by the inspector and quicklyassociated withsnvmetertobeneadand, byasingie simple operation, quicklyand automatically make o. Perfora-ted. Printed. or other form of recordof the meter reading.

`25 A further object is tomake in the same operation other records,which identify the meter.

identify the recording unit used1 identify hthe number of the meterbeing read. give the date of thereooni, ormake anyother suitablerecords.

Another object is to provide such a device. in which the records may bemade in different locations on the card. so that they will have adiierent controlling eiect on the accounting machine.

A further object is to arrange the device so that two separate recordsmay be made 'at the same time and in which the same control elementscontrol the perforations made in different locations on the two cards.

A Iurther object is to provide in s. metering device a-correctingmechanism. to be operated whenever a reading is to be made and whichbrings the indicating elements of the meter to exact integer positions.

Another object is to automatically operate the correcting device when areading is to be made- Another object is to also provide machines whichmay use continuous rolls of record material in place of separate cardstor each record. 5o and also means for making the record in typeprintedform.

obiect is to provide locating recorder on the meter. and other means (orthe locating means for the recording material in the 466 recorder` 1934.serial Ne. usava (or. :3a-ss) Another object is to provide safety devisi therecordersothattherecordcanbe made only when the record material iscorrectly lo cated. and so that the record material cannot be movedwhile a record is beingmade, 5

All of the above ohiects and others will be man muy pointed out in thespecification and claims which follow. l j

'Anunderfendingofspeoicwaysotcarrying A out the invention may be hadtrom the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figtne l. is a top view of the.card periorator' reader with certainparts broken away.

Figlne2isadetaiiofthedateahdnumber16 shaft detent.

Figure 3 is-a vertical section taken on the line l-S of Figure 1, andalso shows some of the parts of the meter integrating unit. l

Figure shows the gearsintheintcgraiing unit go of the meter.

Figures 5, 6, and 'l shovvr the indicator correcting mechanism indiiferent operating positions.

Fgureis atransverse section otthereader and part ofthe meter on the line8-8 oi' Fig- 25 ure 1. A Figurcsg'andllshowcertainpartsoi the datingmechanism in different positions.

Figure 10 shows some of the date perfor-ating pins on a line (ili0 ofFigure 9. 30

Flame 12 shows the meter reader number periorating pins on a line (2-(2of Figure 1. l

Figure 13 shows some of the meter indicator perforating pins on a linei3-i3 of Figure 3.

Figure 1i is a detail of the meter number plate. 85 e Figure 15 shows acard prforated by the reader shown in Figures 1 to 1 Figure 16 shows howthe reader. is `attached tothemetertotakeareading.

Figures 1'( and. 18 show details of a modied form. with and in which therecord of how a card o d ce works. i

ekgiigul'e 22 shows a record made by the reader Figurc2 ofthereadershownFiguresi anda inFigure are ceceuser type plus" so Figurc26xhowsfhedatlng tor the meer ew e l :hows e rin r made b the reader inFigure ted d y 5 In order to carry out the invention, it is necesmrytoprovide a recording unit for each meter inspector. It is also necessaryto provide meters hvinz In improved form of indicating mechanism anddeparting somewhat in other respects no m conventional meter design1 inorder that the cordingunitandthemetermaybeproperlyas sociated to enablethe recording unit to function under the control ot the meter indicatingmechanism. The recordingunits carry recording 1118.-. terial in the formof cards orin continuous rolls. ti'heinspectorappliestherecordingunittothe meterandoperatesitandarecordofthemeter reading andother desired information is made onthereoordmaterial.Theinspcctorturnsthe recordsinto the accounting division, where theormaybeusedmerelyasrecords forguidingtho clerks in preparing the bills bymanual methods:

ortheymaybeuseddircctlytocontrolthe operation of various machines usedin performing operatiousinpreparing the bills: ortheymay be usedindirectly tor automatic by using them to prepare automatically theactual perforated cards, which are used for controlling the automaticmachines.

-The changes inthe meter are identical for all the dinerent types ofrecorders here described. 'Iheimpmvedindicatingmechanismwillnrsthedescribed as an understanding ci it is necessaryheforetherecordlngunitisdescribed. Theotherehangesinthemeterwillbedescribedwhere. theyseemmost easilyunderstood.

Inder correcting mechanism RefertoFigurel. i'isthemainframeofa meteringdevice: for example gas, electric. or water. Mounted suitably in theframe l is-an index mechanism 2. The index mechanismcomprisesamongotherpartstwo sideplates l and $a, which are suitablyfastened to the frame of the meter. Pivotally mounted in the side platesindex element. 'It will be understood that theremaybeanyruitahlenmnberofindexshsrtsaswquiredbyanyparticulartypeoimetento which itmaybedesirahletoattachthedevice. The shaftsaresuitablygearedtooneanotherinthe usual decimalarrangement hy a. series of gears s, s, it, ii, i2. i3, (i, (S, i6, i1,i8, i8, 10. and '2L Shaft 22 on which worm gear 8 is mounted may be theshaft ofthe meter motor or may be geared or otherwise suitably connected-to the motor element of the meter. so that as the motor rotates orotherwise functions, the various shaftsI,S,G.and'iwi1lrotateandassumeposi tions corresponding to the amount ofthe quantitytobemeasured. Theshaits i, 6, $.and'i are not rigidlyattached to the gears (il, (i. i1. and 2i but are driven throughcoupling members 13 and 2i. A spring 25 serves to normally urge the twomembers 2i and 2i in contact. The purpose of this yielding connection isto Permit the operation of a correcting or increment retracting devicewhen a reading is tobe made. ILS willbeexplainedindetaillater.'1hehafts(, E, G, andi eachcarry a series of ten proiecticns 16,

o 1 one corresponding to cach of the integer podtionsaroundtheshafhsothateachoneis iocated'in oneof tenpodtions around theshaft. consecutive 75 ones being separated by an angie of 86 degrees$and8aarefourshaftsl,6,,and1 oneforeach i 'arrancoandccrrespondftfofhoumdmduationso meter index dial. '11d im spacedlongiinfii nallyof thcshaittobcinalignmentwiththe' operating parte laterdescribed.

In the metering and recording: 911mm to 6 which the present inventionrelates, thm m frequently employed a set of indicator shafts, such asthe ones illustrated. l to in which um indicator dials are gear drivencontinuously 1n e, ratioofitoid. Whilethennitsintegerdiaiis 10 makingone complete revolution of 860', the next adjacent dial, or tens dial.is completing a, one tenth revolution with. a continuous motion and, inthe same manner. while the tens integer mi is completing one revolutionof 860. the hundreds dial is completing a one-tenth revolution. s g.result of this mode of operation, the several dials' at any givenmoment, may be found to have made but a slight fractional rotation so asto leave considerable doubt as between two integers 2c which of them isto be construed in connection witha given reading. 'Ib a skilledobserver, the reading may be calculated by ascertaining from the lowerdials of the series the intended integerofitsadjacentdialhiehcrintheseries.

therhaitiorthetensintegerisappreaching' the No. 6.position. .Untilitexactly reaches the No. 6 position it should record No, 5, when nearingthe emot integer position it is dimcult and often even impossible todeter-mine the correct xecordingposltion of the 511.gif; by'm. spectionof that shaft indicator alone. If the nextiowerorunitsshaitisinapositlontp cause the recorder to record aux.rnumber other .than 0,the tensshait must cause therecorderto continue torecord No. 5, but as soon asthe units shaft attains. 0, the tens shaftmust cause its recor-der to record No. 6 and continue to record No. 6until the units shaft completes another revolution andar-in m8411165 the0 position. This o operation thc'meter inspector carries out byobservingthe'dialsrromtheiowesttothehighest and he records one numberorthe next according towhetherthelower'dislisrecordedasanero or aninteger other than nero.

' To reconcile this inherent characteristic of meterreadingtotheuseofanautcmaticxecorder.

present inventionproposes to correct the inthe gressively from thelowest and to correct the higher indi- 5o catcr to a lower number' or toa higher. according to the recording position of te iowferthinteeesrtictestoftheposi ono e ow by m mmm understand the operation theaforesaid correction mecha.-

and muy of description wil1 follow 55 hereinafter.

er to Figures 8, 5, 6, and 7. Pivotally mtcd on the side plate 3 is alever 1T. Lever 21 is co lci two parts 11o: and 2lb both 60 pivoted at21e. Part 21a carries a lug ile adapt ed to engage the edge of part 1lband no held in contact 'therewith by spring 11d. The purpose of theyielding construction will appear later. nie tip 18 of lever arm 1lbengages a 65 slot in a member i0, mounted slidably hy means of slots 8ion studs 32. fast in the side frame 3. Slide $0 is normalLv held to theleft hy spring $3. a series of levers u, as, se, and u are pivotauy as,se. u. ma u are mounwi rigidly and respectivelyontherhaits 4.5.6,and T.Eaohcam f6 hastenteethone M... altem corresponding to each of theinteger positionsbf the shaft. Lever u carrlcsanarmlzadaptedtoengagetheteethofcorrect- 88 under tension of spring 84a,but normally heid out of engagement by arm u engagingahighpartofslide80. lever 85 carries an arm 41 adapted to engage a projection 9caniedbytheshaftlwhichrelatestothenext lower digit than that whichrelates to the shaft operated. slide 30 moves to the right and as itmoves the projection of slide 30, which normally wlthholds lever N, willbe withdrawn, presenting a clearance 49 so as to permit lever 34 torotate counter-clockwise. Arm 42 will then engage 'v01'-rectingwheelliiandmoveshattltoanexact.

integer position, as'shown in Figure 6. It is to be noted that lever $4has no armcorresponding to armllandalwaysactstomoveshaftl toen exactinteger position. The recesses IS. 60, etc. inslidememberlarespacedsothateachisprcsented to its associated arm 44; 5i etc.successivelyandintheorderindicatedthusinsuring that the lower nmneriealdigits are nrst corrected and in so doing serve to provide an index ordetermining factor by reason of the lugs 48, 62, etc. for decidingwhether or not the next succeeding integer shafts should be corrected.When an index occupies any poation between say 1 and 2. it must recordthe numeral L When the next lower index is in the 0 podtion theprojection 48 is in a position to prevent the operation of theoorrecting or increment retracting lever. since in this podtion thegears are so adiusted that the proper pin 16 is in exact recordingposition. s the next lower index advances to digit 2, the recorder muststill record the numeral 1 until the lower index has advanced again tothe 0 position, so that it must be moved back to the numeral l positionuntilthat time.

The lugs 48. 62. etc. perform automatically the frmction performed bythe inspector manually when he looks at a lower dial to determinewhether the higher dial should be recorded as the higher or lowernumber. Since the shafts l, 6.

- etc. may be in any angular position when the correcting operation isinitiated there will be" times when it is just at a point where theslightest angular change in its position would cause a diiferent numberto be recorded. This position is selected as that corresponding to thezero p0- sition of the next lower shaft sol that no correctionisrequired and by thus preventing correcting in this position thisuncertainty does not exist. because in all other positions the shaft isdefinitely in position to be corrected. A still further need exists forsuch a device in that there are always variations and inaccuracies inthe construction of any device made in quantities. Such devices must bemade free running and consequently have a certain amount of lost motionwhich further increases the possibility of uncertainty. For all of thesereasons the range in which errors lscdoccur without the lugs 8, 52, etc.is in- When, for example. the units shaft l is found part way betweentwo integers. the initial movelment of slide In presents the cut-awayportion 49 beneath arm u allowing lever 8f to respond e@Aeofitssiliinglia. The en of the :o glnd 0f um 2 'minst the rruemartootlioiconectingwheel I8 movesshatt l so astaaugnsquareiythenartiwlarninzetheor which will present the lower of theaforesaid two integers for recording. But since lever u has noprolecting lug l1 (shaft l being the lowest integer indicator) theperformance of lever 8,4 upon shaft C isnot qualied by a precedentcondition of any other shaft and may be considered merely as a centeringor aligning function as distinguished from the qualined intervention ofany of the other levers such as 85. $6, etc., whose function will betermed more accurately a correction. If, of two such-integers' on anyshaft 4, E, etc., the lower one is 0 and the higher one is 1, thecorrecting of its next higher shaft. in integer value. is to beprevented, hence in such case its lugs 48, E2, etc. will intervene todisable the correcting lever l5, I6. etc.. leaving said high.. er shaftin .its normal condition. But. on the other hand. if 0f W9 Such integersthe lower one is 9 and the higher oneis 0, the ear-mung or aligningfunction will not be prevented because under those circumstances thepax-uwlashaft will be so positioned that its lugs (s, 52, eta, wm havepassed beyond the path of such correcting levers 35. IG. etc.. leavingthem tree to ecn-eet the next higher integer shaft from its positionwpmching an ascending digital value to its preccdingone.

Finallyshaftliscorrectedinamannersimilar to that already described. Whenslide 30 has been moved to its extreme position. all of the shaftsrequiring correction have been corrected and the parts are so adjustedthat th'e correction of each shaft is complete before the correction ofthe shaft corresponding to the next higher digit is initiated.

It will be noted. of course. that the so-called correction is institutedsolely as regards the foremost portions of the shafts 4, 6, 6 and 'i-(see Fig. 1), it being understood that the springs 25 which normallytend to maintain each of said shafts in radial alignment with theirdriving stubs through the couplings 23 and 24. continue to urge theshafts back to their chance positions and that immediately following theso-called correction. when the slide l0 is withdrawn, the severalshafts4,$.6andlareimmediatelyxestoredto their chance positions. This ispermitted when the several levers I( to il are returned by the cammingof their associated projections on slide $0. It will also be understoodthat the springs 34a etc. are powerful enough to overcome the springs 25to effect the correction of the shafts l etc. and that the springs 25return shafts i es soon as the recorder is removed from the meter.

It has been previously pointed out that lever 2l is composed of twoparts 21a and 2lb connected by a spring 21d. The purpose of this yieldis to permit lever 21a to be moved after the correcting operations havetaken place and to allow time for the recording operations laterdescribed. since the purpose of the corrections is to insure a correctrecord. It will be noted that in the final position of the correcting orincrement retracting device (see Figure '1) the pro- .lections indicatedE3, 64', 55. and 56, each of which may be one of the ten spirallyarranged P1016@- tions of its respective shafts l. E, 6 or l, are all ina vertical position ready for recording. In the illustration of Fig. '1,the projections which are in the recording position only are shown forthe sake of simplicity and clearness in the illustration. or course theselected projection on any shaft will be in a longitudinal position onthe shat depending upon the angular position of the Perforated cardrecording :mit

The preferred form ot the invention in whichtherecordismadeonacardbymeans ofperforations representing the meterreading. the date, number of the meter. and the number of the inspectormaldng the record, or other information desirable for records or forcontrol purposes will now be described.

Refer to Figures'l and 8. The recording unit comprises among other partsa main frame El and is provided with a suitable handle 58, which servesas a convenient means for carrying the devicefromplacetoplaceandalsoservesasa means for applying the device to a meter and foroperating it to make a record. Mounted on the bottom of the frame El isa plate 69 and on the top a plate 60. An additional plate 6i is placedover plate 60 and spaced therefrom by spacers 62. G3, and 83a. so thatone or more cards can be placed in the space between the plates.lheopeningbetweentbeplatesisclosedonthree sidesandisopenontheside il(seeFigure8) so thatcardscanbeinsertedandremovedthereat.

In the rear, Fig. 1. there is a projection G5 onspaceraadptedtoengageanotchinthecards so that the registration will becorrect and uniform as will be described later.

n the inside of the frame is mounted another plate $6. The top plate Elcarries four rows of openings 61, G8. 69. and l0, each row comprisingtenopenings. 'Iherearealsoothersimilaropenings for other purposes whichwill be described inter. Plate tu carnes corresponding openingsA ll. l2,13. and Nl Plate 66 carries a similar set of openings. Correspondingholes in all three plates are in alignment and contemplate the selectiveallocation of a perforation with respect to a predetermined linear held.

Eachsetofalignedopenings carries apunch 15, arranged to slidetherein.Punches 1S rest attheirlowerendsonthe tipsofasetof transfer levers 'i6one individual to each punch. Each of the levers 1G has a rounded end 11which nts in a corresponding slot 18 in a block 18 so that it can movelengthwise and be oscillated in its own plane, but is held in all otherdirections. Projections 80 on levers 16 t loosely in slots 8l in platesi9, so that the locations of levers 16 are determined in a longitudinaldirection by the pro- Sections B0.

A stripper or restoration plate 82 is pivoted in the frame at 83 and isnormally held against stops 84 by springs t5, one on each edge of theplate 82. Plate 82 carries slots 86 through which perforating pins l5pass. Refer to Figure 8. Pins l5 are provided with notches 8l adapted tobe engaged by the edges of the slots 86, so that when plate 82 is heldagainst stops 84 by springs 85, the pins l5 will be retracted just belowthe surface of plate 60. The lower ends of pins 'i5 are engaged bylevers 16, so that when a lever 'i6 is moved, the corresponding pin "I5will be moved to perforate the card l5 located in the space G4. Thelevers 1G are divided .into two sets, the rst and second digits arepivoted to the right and extend to the left, a'nd the third and fourthdigits are pivoted to 'the left and extend to the right. The levers ineach pair are oirset with respect to one another and the ends oftheperforating pins are so shaped that the tens digit for example clearsthe units-digit and, when operated, the tens digit wm operate only thetens periorating pin. The pro- Jections 26 on shafts-4. i. C. and i areso located on their shafts that they align with the proper ses of levers1G.

Dating' mechanism The part of the mechanism for recording the .date willnow be described. Refer to Figures l, 3. 9. and il. Adjacent to theperforating pins l5 are three similar rows of pins 151, 152, and 151.As- 10 signed to indicate the date on which the reading is taken Thepins 161 correspond to the unit digit of the day, part of the pins 152,those at the bottominFigure 1.correspondtothetens digit of thedayandthetwo atthe toptothetensdigitof the month and the row 151 correspondsto the units digit of the month. The tens digit of the month and thetens digit of the day have been compressed into one row to save space.It will be understood that they may have separate rows.

'which may be preferable or in some eases necessary. depending upon thekind of machine used later in interpreting or translating theinformation represented by the arrangement of pedal-ations on the cards.A plurality of levers 8i are 25 pivotedona rod 82, which ismountedonlugs83 on plate l2. The other ends 84 of levers 8i are adapted to engageprojections 95 on a series of shafts I6, il, 98, and IQ pivotallymounted in the sides of the frame il. The shafts 8l and 89 are 30 inalignment and their inner endsare piv'oted in lugs [00,onlyone of whichis shown in Fig. 1. fast to the top plate 82. The projections 95 arearranged in a spiral manner on the shafts 86. 8l. t8.. and 99 similar tothe arrangement of the 'projec- 85 tions 26 on the shafts 4. S. G, andl.

The shafts 86. 8l, 88. and 89 each carry on their outer ends a disc 10|having notches in their edges, one corresponding to each integerposition ofthe shaft. A detent arn |02 is pivoted to the 40' frame on ascrew i03 and a slot (04 in arm IGZ fits over another screw (05 (seeFigure 16). By loosening screws (03 and (05, arm (02 may be 4svlru'ngoutof the wayandthediscs l0( maythen be moved to a position representingthe new date. 0n each shaft is fast an additional notched disc |01 (seeHgure 2) which is engaged by a Jockey |08 and serves to hold the shaftsafter they have been-set. After theshafts have been set for a new date.arm |02 is swrmg into engagement with 60 the notches in the discs iniand reclamped by screws (03 and IUS so that the adjustment cannot beinadvertently changed. There is also provided on the opposite side anarm |08 similar to (02 for clamping the short shaft 89.

When plate 82 is in its normal or nnoperated position as shown in Figure9 the levers 9i engage a xed stop lill and assume such a position ais toretract the pins 151. 151, and 153 Just below the upper surface of plateE0. When plate 82 is G0 moved upward to the position shown in Figure 11,as will be explained later. pivot 82 and levers 8| are carried upwardwith respect to the frame l and its attached parts. The tips Stof one ofthe levers 9i in each set will engage a. corresponding G5 projection U5and the motion of that end of the lever will he arrested but the pivot92 will continue upwardly and as a. consequence the opposite end oflever Il will carry the corresponding perforating pin 151, 151. and l5!upward and make 7o corresponding perforations. When-plate 82 returnsunder tension of springs 85, the levers 9( wm again engage stop lill andretract the oPf ated pins fromthe card. pin ill isfastto tlc plate 82for the purpose of moving plate 32 01 t e .i6

above operations and in a manner to be 194er described.

Heter designation recordingl mechanism Mounted rigidly to the front taceof the meter in e suitable pennen is n. meter designation plate (l2,shown best in Figs. 3 and 14. The Plak. which may'be standard equipmentin eonformif?r with production methods. carries three rows oi tappedholes (i3, ten in each row. and arranged in suitable positionscorresponding to the locations of the perforations on the record cardfor the meter designation. A screw ||4 is placed in one hole in each rowaccording to the nmnber assigned to the meter. While only three rows areshown, it will be understood that usually there would be a larger numberof rows so as to provide sunicient numbers for the meters to be read. Ineach of the plates 60, Si, and 59 there are three rows of holes such asl5, in alignment in the three plates and arranged in a manner similar toholes G1. 68, and 69. In each aligned set of holes there is placed aperforating pin HG.' In plate 82 there are slots ||`l through which pinsH6 pass. Pins lithavelntheiredgesnotches ||8 solocated that when plate02 is in its normal or retracted pontion the edges of the slots ||1 willengage the lower edge of the notches ||8 and hold the pins just belowthe upper face of plate 60. When plate 82 is in its operated position.some one pin in each rowwill engageaserew ||4inthe meter designationplate and cause the corresponding pins ||6 to make appropriate holes inthe record card 89.

Seeig'ure13.inwhicl1plate82isinitsoperated` position, one pin isperforating and the other pins are inoperative because there is nocorresponding screw in plate i2.

Inspector's number recording mechanism In plates 6|. 60. and S9 thereare two more rows of holes, i I8, corresponding to the inspector'snumber. One pin IIS is placed in one hole in` each of the rows in apodtlon corresponding to the inspeetor's number. -All the other sets ofholes in each row are empty. (Refer to Figure l2.) Pins H9 eachhaveintheir edge a notch |20 which nts into the edge of slots ||1 in plate 82.The notches |20 are just slightly wider than the thickness of plate 82,so that whenever plate 82 is moved the pins I I9 follow and the pinswill perforate and be retracted on every operation of plate az,

Modincations :n uw meter-reading device The improved correctingmechanism for the meter indicators has already been described. Someother modications of the meter will now be described. A

On the frame of the meter are two lugs |31., which carry a round rod|38. The trame El of the reader unit carries two lugs |39 shaped asshownv on Figure 8. The rod |38 and the lugS |39 serve as a means forlocating the reader on the meter accurately and also form a pivot forits operation. On top of the meter is suitably mounted a sliding plate|40 having openings i4 l, corresponding to the openings |42 in a plate|43 forming the iaceof the meter. When the record-3 er is not attachedto the meter, plate |40 is held by springs |44, so that the two sets ofopenings are not in alignment. this position to close the meter so thatdirt cannot gain access. .-When the reader is in position to record.plate |40 is moved by the tips of lugs |39 engaging Projection |45 onplate |40 and The plate |40 serves iny 4reader whilethe periorations arebeing made.

When the recorder is removed plate 40 under tension of springs |44 againcloses the openings.

Brief description of recording operation The complete operation oftaking a record will now be brieily described. The inspector removesfrom the reader any card upon which a record has been made. He insertsone or more cards in the proper position in the reader according to thesystem of recording adopted. Grasping the handle 58 he inserts the tipsof lugs |39 under rod |38 as best shown on Figure 1 6. The tips of lugs|39 are tapered so that they readily enter the space under the rod |38,but when fully en.. tered form a neat pivot upon which the reader unitcan be rotated. As the lugs |39 are inserted they engage the projection|45 and move slide |40 so as to permit the various projections onthereadertohaveaccesstothecorresponding control members in the meter,The inspector now rotates the reader counterelockwise. First aprojection |46 on the reader frame engages lever 21a and eorredzs the shafts 4. 5. S, andI. as previously described in detail. When the shaftshave allbeencorrected, apin on plate 02 engages the face' of the metermoves plate 82 on its pivot and makes all the records. The yield betweenlevers 21a and 2lb permits the extra motion required for the perforatingoperation, as it must take place after the correcting operationhas beencompleted Mounted on the ends of each shaft 4, t', 6, and 'l isadrum |49having onitsrimnumbers0to9 and so arranged that the numberscorresponding tothcmeterreadingcanbeobserved through openings |50 in theface of the meter.

Description of the record card Refer to Figure 15. 89 is a record card,which has been perforated in the device above described.

This card is of a well-lmown form used in accounting machines, such forexample as the Holerith system, but the form is capable of being changedin many ways without departing from the invention here described. Thecolumns |22 correspond to the meter reading. Columns |25 correspond tothe inspectors number. The perforationsin columns |22, |23, |24, and |25are all made in a single operation and are designated as the presentreading. Columns |26, |21. |28, and |29 correspond respectively tocolumns |22. |23. |2|ll and |25 and are designated as the previousreading. The later readings are also all made 1na single operation.

0n the upper edge of the card are two notches |30 and (3|. On the loweredge two large numbers |32 and |33 are printed on the face of the card.Refer to Figure 17. In the top plate 6| is a notch |34. Also attached tothe top plate 6| is a retaining spring |35, having a portion |36 bent ina suitable manner. to hold the card 64 rigidly in position. When a cardis to be inserted. spring |35 is raised, andvlf a card is alreadyinplace, it is removed and a blank card is inserted by picking it upbetween the thumb and the fourth nnger, with the thumb on the largenumber latthe bottomofthecard. Thecardis then insertedsothattheflgurelisdisplayedinthe notch |34 and the notch |3| will engage PTO-other position. and when the recorder is opel'-- ated. one will receivea present record and the other a previous record. The card inserted inposition 1 will already have thereon-a previous record. made on aprevious trip of the inspector. The other card will be a blank card.which will betlmecardto beused bythe inspectoronthe next strip, alongwith another blank card. The card with the two records is the one to beused by the accounting department. The portion of the card 89a may bedivided from the. main portion of the card by a suitably weakened line89o.

.sothatitcanbereadilydetachedafterithas served its checking purpose.This part may be usedforvisualchcckingtosee thatbothreadinssapplytothesamemeter and to eheekthedates ofthercadings.Ortheparttsamaybeused for automatic ehecldng.

The blank portions of the card are for other records which are made inthe accounting onlce by any suitable method. but as they form' no partof the' present invention they willA not be further referred to.- Thecards with two records made by the inspector may be used as the actualcontrol cards to control the accounting machines. 0r the inspector maybe supplied only with blank cards and all his records will representpresent readings. These cardsmaythenbeusedinthe accounting olce toprepare the actual perforated cards which are used in controllingtheaccounting machines. In the latter case cards without the part I Sa maybe used.

'IhecardshowninFigure15isinterpretedas` follows:

Present reading 2157 ma Nov. 3l Meter No 967 Inspector No 'I8 Previousreading 2029 Date Sept. 29 Meter No 967 Inspector No-. 'I8

Perforating'roll supply recorder.

Figures 19, 20. and 21 show a modified record reader in which a roll ofpaper or other suitable material is used instead of separate cards forThe plate 50B. is substantially the same as plate 50. The plate SIRcorresponds to plate 6| but is shorter and is supported on the sides andthe space between the plates is tlcted, 9.1! .190th Sides and open on'both ends to allow the roll paper to pass through. 'Plates EUR and GIRhave punch openings identically the Same BS those in plates 60 and 6|.Mounted rigidly to Plate SR are two end plates 200 and 20|.

Asupplyreel202 similartothoseusedinroli nlm cameras is mounted betweenthe plates 200 and 20| on a nxed pivot 203 and a spring pressedpivot204. Pivot 204 is provided with a knob 205, so that the reel can bereadily removed and replaced in a well-known manner. 'Ihe slot 206serves to secure the end of the record material. Feed rolls 201 and 208are revolubly mountedin the side frames 200 and 20| and carry at eachend feed pins 209, which engage the margin holes 2i0 in the recordmaterial, Fast to shaft 2li,

, which carries feed roll 208, is a gear 2|2. Gear 2|2 meshes with agear 2|3, which is mounted for rotation on a stud 2|( fast in side frame20|. On the opposite end of shaft 2li is loosely mounted 8 Sear 2|5.Enga-gine the sides of gear 2|5 are friction washers ZIE and 2|?. Spring:is presseswasher 2|9 inward and creates through the friction washers a.friction drive between the shaft 2|i and gear 2li. Gear 2|5 meshes witha. gear 220 mounted revolubly on side frame 200. Gear 220 carries adriving dog 22| adapted to engage-a hole 222 in take ,up reel 223 andcause it to rotate'therewith. A knob 224 similar to knob 203 is suppliedfor taking out or replacing reel 223. Fast to gear 2|! is a disc 225carrying a knob 226. The gearing is such that, if-disc 225 is givenexactly one revolutionl feed roll 208 will move vtlie paper the exactlength of one record. When the knob 225 is given one revolution, shaft2|| tends to rotate takeup reel 223 to roll up the used record material.I'he gearing is such that, even at the start of a new roll, a singlerevolution will wind up a complete record. As the diameter of the rollincreases the gear. 2| 5 will slip. so that the used record materialwill be neatly rewound.

Dise 225 has a notch 22T adapted to be engaged by the V-shaped end oflever 228, under the tension of spring 229. Disc 225 cannot be rotatedwhen the reader is attached to a meter on account of the locking actionof lever 228. When the recorder is detached, if disc 225 is 'rotatedonly part of a revolution, lever 228 will assume some such position asshown in Figure 21 and the recorder cannot be attached to the meter tobe read, until the disc has been turned to` complete an exactrevolution, thus insuring that the forms are in the correct positionwhen a record is made. An additional jockey 230 lits into a. notch 23|in feed roll 20B and serves to still further insure the correct location'of the forms.

and compensate for any lost motion in the gears or other parte.

The plates 6|( and end plates 200 and 20| are rigidly fastened togetherand with the other parts mounted thereon form a unit. which may beremoved by loosening thumbscrews 233 and 234. and so facilitate removinga completed record or inserting a new supply of record material.

The record material 235 is supplied in rolls of suitable size on sparereels similar to 202. On each margin of the record material are suitablyspaced feed holes 2 |0. A length of material suitable for a singlerecord carries eighteen holes ineach margin. One revolution of disc 225rotates feed roll 204 three revolutions and since it has six pins. thematerial will be advanced the distance of one record.

When a new roll is to be inserted, thumbscrews 222 and 224 are loosenedand the 'top unit is removed. Handle 226 is operated until all thematerialhasbeentransferredtoreelz. Knob 224 is pulled outand reel 222 isremoved. Knob zu: is operated, empty reel zo: is removed and insertedwhere reel 222 was. A new supply of material onaspare reelisnowinsertedwhere reel 202was. 'lheendofthematerialispassed over feedroll 201. across plate GIR, over feed roll 208.and the end is fastenedin slot 236. Knob 226 is nowturned until arm 228 enters notch 221. Theunit is now replaced and the thumbscrews tightened. and the recorder isready to make a record. A suitable cover 231 is held in place by springclips 238 and if of course removed when the supply rolls are beingreplaced.

The reader is applied to the meter and Operatedinidentically the samemanner asin the case of the card type of machine. The lever 228 performsthe function of preventing the attachment of the reader to a meter whenthe record material is not correctly located. How lever 228 -face offrame 200 is a plate 20|.

blocks the attaehmentby rod (28B. will be evident by referring to Figure21. After one recordhasbeenmadethehandle 226isgiven one revolution tobring into position a new portion of the record material.

Roll 'perforated record Refer to Figure 22. A single record occupies thespace from line 235e to 2356. The present reading only is recorded bythis type and the record is identical with the corresponding record asshown in Figure l5.

The record as shown is interpreted as follows:

Present reading 1475 mi Nov. 20 Meter No 13 Inspector No 48 Theseparating lines 235e and 2356 may be printed or mechanically impressedon the paper when it is supplied. In either case, when a new roll isinserted. the feed holes 210 are so placed on the feedrolls 201 and 208that the form is in a correct recording position when the tip of lever228 engages notch 221. The lines 235e and 23512willalsolaterservetocorrectlylocatetheoompleted record in a reproducingmachine or on an accoimting machine, if of the roll type. Or the recordsmay be separated at the impressed lines and used as individual controlcards.

This type ot record is well adapted to use where the actual accountingcards are made in the accounting omce.

Time printing recorder This modication makes a. type printed recordinstead of a perforated record and onv a roll of record material.

Refer to Figures 23, 24. 25, a, and 26. A considerable number of theparts are identical with or similar to corresponding parts on thepreviously described models. The device comprises a main frame 200.Mounted on the vtop Plate 30| carries a series of openings 202, arrangedin four rows. each row having ten openings and arranged at a suitablespacing. which may be the same as that in the perfor-ating model.v Thisarrangement has been chosen for illustration to avoid duplicating thedescription of similar parts. although it will be understood that theymay have any desired arrangement. Fitting into cach of the openings 202is a slide 203. having engraved on one end thereof type characters 203e.In this caseeachsethasthenumbersfromo to9. A plate 205. havingcorresponding openings is mounted rigidly in the frame. and provides asecond i for the slides 303.

A of levers 206 similar to levers 16 is pro ded. one for each of theslides 203. The levers 206 have a rounded end 201. which nts into slots208 in a block 208. Levers 206 also have projections 210 likeproiections 80 and the levers are the same as and operate in the samemanner as the levers 16 already described.

There is also provided a set of slides 3H which t into 0961111188 U2 inplate 2M. and are also arranged in rows of ten each. and are for thepurpose of recording the number of the meter being read. The slides 2lialso t into similar openings in the bottom plate 2i 3 and also haveengraved on one end suitable type ehamters 2ila. The protruding ends oithe glides 3H are adapted to engage the proiections on the meterdesignation plate as already described in connection with theperforating model.

A. plate 2i( is mounted .on pivots 2i5 in the frame 200. Plate 2i4 isnormally held against stops 2i6 by springs Si'i. Plate 2i4 carries slots2i8 through which slides 203 pass and the edges of the slots engage theedges o( notches 29 in slides 203 and so hold the slides away from themoor-ding position. Slides 2i l likewise pass through similar openings320 in plate 2H and the edges of the openings' likewise engage theshoulders of notches 22i in slides'2ii and so normally hold the slidesout of recording position.

Lugs 222. 223. and 224 are formed on plate 2H and serve to hold a unit.comprising alseries of typewheels which record the date and number ofthe reader or inspector. and best shown in Figure 26. The dating unitcomprises a shaft 32S. upon which are mounted month wheel 326, day `ofmonth wheels 221. year wheels 328, and inspector designation wheels 229.Each of the typewheels is rotatably mounted on shaft 225 and eachcarries a series of notches 330. one for each designation on the wheel.twelve for the month wheel and ten foreach of the others. Steel balls23i are mounted in holes in the shaft 225 and are pressed outward bysprings 332. There is one ball and one spring for each wheel. and theyare arranged to engage the notches in the wheels in such a manner as tohold them in the correct recording positions. The shaft 225 hasavthreaded portion 233 at one end and a plate 234 at the other end.Plate 334 has two holes' adapted to engage locating pins 335. Thethreaded portion 233 passes through a hole in lug 224 and a thumb-screw236 serves to clamp the date wheel unit securely to plate 2 i4 so thatit will move with it, as explained? later; Fast to plate 234 is a knob231. In the frame 300 is an opening 238 of such a size as to permitplate 334 and the entre dating unit to pass through it. In the. oppositeside of the frame is another opening 239, through which thumbscrew 336passes. By loosening thumbscrew 336 and grasping knob 231, the datewheel unit may be removed from the reader and the various wheels set tothe proper date and designation and replaced. When the dating unit is inplace, the type set for recording are opposite an opening 231a in plate20i. so that they can protrude above the surface ofthe plate and make animpression as later described.

Over plate -30i is* mounted a removable paper supply unit. similar tothe one described for the roll type ofperiorator. This unit comprises 9'main plate 2&0, to the under side of which is attached a plate t ofsuitable material to the corresponding control elements in the meter andthe selected slides are moved toward the serve a printing platen, auchas hard rubber. platen and make the proper impressions for the On theupper side of plate N0 are attached two end plates 242 and 24M. At theends 0f plates 242 and 2a are mounted two feed rolls 222 and 2N onsuitable pivots for rotation therein. Feed wheels 242 and 244 carry feedpins 45, which fit into corresponding feed holes in the margin of the`recording material 246. Mounted on plate 242 and 2a is a supply reel202P. This reel is identical with reel 202 already described inconnection with the roll perforator, and need not be further describedhere. It is mounted and operated in the same manner. Corresponding partsin this roll supply unit have been given the same numbers with a letterP following, and where parts are so designated it will be understoodthat they operate in the same manner as the original parts. There isalso mounted in plates 242 and 2a a takeup reel 2MP and geared to feedroll 24( the same as reel 20|. The disc 225P differs from disc 225 byhaving two notches 221?, since in this case only halt the length ofrecord material is usedfor a single record, and the disc 225P is turnedonly 180 de' grecs between sucoessiverecorvziing operations. The papersuppLv unit is attached to the plate by thumbscrews 241 and is spacedfrom the. plate 20| by separators 248 so that there is a space left forthe record material and lnk ribbon to pass.

0n plate 20| are mounted two brackets 249 and 250, one at each end,inwhich are mounted ink ribbon spools 25| and 252 by means of suitablepivots 253. so that the spools can be readily removed and replaced. Anink ribbon 25|, suf- ,.iciently wide to cover all the type carryingclements is provided. 'Ihe ribbon passes from one spool to the otherbetween plate 20| and the record receiving material 246. A ratchet wheel255 is arranged to rotate with spool 252. Pivoted at 256 in a bracket251, fast to plate 20|. is a lever 259. which carries a feed pawl 260adapted to engage ratchet wheel 255. A spring 26| holds pawl 260 intoengagement with ratchet wheel 255 and also holds extension 262 on lever259 in contact withcam 263, which rotates with disc 2251?. As disc 225?is rotated to feed the record material, cam 262 operates pawl 260 toslowly feed the ink ribbon from one spool to the other. When the ribbonhas all been transferred to the spool 252. it may be returned to spool25| by turning knob 264. Mounted in brackets 248 and 250 are two guiderolls 265 and 266.- which serve to keep the ribbon close to plate 20|.

A. suitable cover 268 is provided and is held in place by spring clips269, so that it can be readily removed to replace the recording materialor renew the ink ribbon.

l The operation of this model is substantially the same as that of thecard perforating model and needs only1 a brief description. Eachinspector is provided with one of the readers, which has been suppliedwith recording material and an ink ribbonl and in. which the dating unithas been adjusted to the proper date and designation. The inspectorgrasps handle 68p and applies the reader to the meter by causing lugs.|2911x to engage rod |28P on'the meter. The reader is then rotatedtoward the meter face. projection M6 first engages the correctingmechanism in the meter and sets the indexes to exact integer positions,the projections 2li next engage meter reading and meter number.

At the same time that the above recording operations are taking place.pin |||P engages thev face of the meter and plate 2|( is rotated towardthe platen and carries with it the date wheels which protrude throughthe opening 23ia and make the date and reader number impressions. Ihemotion of plate 2|( also frees the slides 203 and 2i i for the printingoperation by receding from the holding edge of the notches 2|9 and 22|.When the recorder is detached from the meter, plate 2 il returns tonormal and retracts the slides 203 and 2| and the date wheel unit.Before another record is made, the

' inspector gives handle 226P a half revolution and brings into positiona fresh supply of recording material and also advances the ink ribbon.Lever 228P serves to prevent the record material from being displacedwhile a record is being made and also prevents the reader being attachedto a meter when the record material is not in correct position.

Figure 27 shows a record made by the print# ing reader. The characters213 denote the meter number. the characters 210 give the date,pthecharacters 21| give .the reader or inspector designation. and thenumbers 212 are the reading. The record is read as follows-z Jan-12 34Inspector Number 562. Meter Number 249. Reading 1805. This record maybe' used 'directly for manual billing or it may be, used-'for premeterparing perforated cards manually for automatic billing While theinvention has been described as applied to integrating meters, it may beapplied to other kinds of devices from which it is desired to make arecord of their condition. And while the record has been chosen of aform suitable for controlling a particular type of statistical andaccounting machines, it may be made in other forms suitable foroperating other types of machines and for other purposes thanaccounting. It is evident that both the form of the record and theapparatus for making the record may depart materially from the specicones shown without departing from the spuit or scope of the invention.

. What is claimed is:

l. In a recording system, a recording unit, a record controlling unit, acorrecting device included in the record controlling unit, means toattach the recording unit to the record controlling unit. and meanscarried by the recording unit to operate the correcting device when thetwo --units are associated. c

2. In a metering device, a series of geared indicating elements, eachelement corresponding to a digit of a number to be indicated, meansassociated with one digit element to correct the setting of said elementto an integer setting, and means to determine the operation of saidcorrecting means by the next lower digit element.

3. In combination, a recording device including means to carry recordreceiving material n one side of said device, a plurality of operatingmembers projecting from the opposite side, each ope'rating membercorresponding to a single Ihr acter to be recorded. and means externalto the recording device to select and operate said members comprising acontrol unit having peg Wheels selectively positionable, and pivot meansfor supporting said device rotatively to promote the regislration cisaid operating members with lsaid peg w eels.

4. Inasystemofmeterreading,ameterhav ing coupling nxtm'es comprised ofpivot-supporting members for aiIording connection and alignment. aportable device having cti-operating tixtures for engaging said ilrstmentioned nxtures andfor thereby promoting the alignment of said devicewith said meter. and record communicating elements amociated with saidmeter to co operate sequentially with recording members associated withsaid portable device during the pivotal cooperation of said fixtures.

5. In a system for recording metering information, a meter capable ofpresenting variable index readings, a recording device. means fordetachably associating said recording device with said meter comprisingpivotal coupling mums and aligning fixtures. and means to communicatethe infomation from said meter to said recording device during the metof attachment 6.Inarccordingsystem.ameterhavinga plurality of meteringelements arranged progressively. a'recorder having l. plurality ofsensing elements arranged in a series in accordance with the progressionof said metering elements, means to associate said recorder with saidmeter, and means operative during the act of association to communicatethe setting of each of said metering elements to its associated sensingelements successively. l

1. In a recording system, a record controlling unit, a recording unitincluding a plurality of recording elements, a plate in said recordingunit for normally holding said elements in a non-effective position,means to articulate said recording unit and said record controllingunit, and means operative in response to said articulation for disablingsaid plate and for thereby permitting the performance of said elements.

8. In a system for perforating a record comprised of numericaldesignations projected upon a linear eld, a plurality of indicatingdevices having circumferentially presented numerical index elements. aset of punch control members presented in an alignment corresponding tosaid neld adjacent said index elements. means for detachably associatingsaid punch control members and said circumferential index elements andmeans for communicating the setting of said circumferential indexelements through said punch control members to install a correspondingperforation in the linear field during the act of association of saiddetachable means.

9. A meter-reading device comprising means to support a record bearingmaterial, pivotal coupling means for detaehably associating said devicewith a meter, means for se successively the integer designations of saidmeterV during the pivotal coupling operation coincident with theapplication of said device to a meter, and means to make perforations insaid material during said coupling operation.

10. In a recording apparatus. a plurality of co1- umns of integermembers, each column correspending to a decimal position of a numericalseries and each member in a column corresponding to an integer in anumerical sexies. actuating means for advancing each member in a column.control means for positioning said actuating means in accordance with anumerical setting, and means for imparting a cumulative incrementcorrection to said control means.

11. In a record perforating system, a perforating unit including aplurality of aligned protruding elements, o. meter apparatus having aplurality of openings corresponding in alignment to said protrudingelements, a cover plate sud. able into position for covering saidopeningsl coupling means for connecting said periorating 5 unit and saidmeter apparatus. and-means responsive to a coupling operation forwithwing said cover plate to expose said openings to said protrudingelements.

i2. In n perforating mechanism. a control device comprising a set ofpositionable shafts having predeterminedly distributed pegs radiatingtherefrom. a punch block unit having pivotal wuping engagement with saidcontrol device. aV plurality of rows of punches grouped in alignmentoff-set with respect to said shafts. and means for communicating asetting from said shafts to said punches comprising a plurality ofinter-position members supported for longitudinal movement and fortransverse reciprocation.

13. In a recording apparatus. an arbor for carrying a supply of recordreceiving material. means to feed out predetermined quantities of saidmaterial. andl conditioning means associated with said arbor forprevmting the operation of said mm1-ding apparatus dming the movement-ofsaid arbor and between predetermined positions,

14. A meter-reading device comprising means to support arecord-'receiving material, an alignment of periorators for makingperfor-ations in said material. coupling means for detaehablyassociating said device with a meter, and means responsive to a couplingoperation for selectiveLv actuating said perforators. v

15. In combination with a device having integer indicators gearedtogether so as to impart proportional increm t rotation to theindicators of a higher decimal representation under the actuation ofindicators Vhaving a lower decimal representation in a numericalsequence. a transfer setting mechanism and correcting means comprisingelements individually associative with said indicators and operative tomove said indicators in a return direction for effecting a deerementalmovement, and means for moving said elements into 4:

engagement with their respective indicators progressiveb' and inaccordance with their ascending decimal value.

16. In an'indicating apparatus. a series of index shafts, gear andpinion means connecting 5i decimal value ratio elated with each of saidshafts.

1'1. In combination, a printing device comprising a plurality of sets oftype carrying members, each set comprising a printing membercorresponding to each of the ten numerals 0 to 9, a counting devicecomprising a counting member c for each digit of a number to be printed.coupling and aligning means carried by each device, and means effectivewhen the two devices are associated through the coupling and aligningmeans to select and operate each printing member accord- '1 ing to theposition of its corresponding counting member. v

18. In a recording system. a recording unit. means to associate saidrecording unit with' a control unit. means to condition said recording iunit for a record after cachrccord hasbeenmadeandmeanstopreventthetaklngci a subsequent record until said conditioning 19 Inkas syste; ted.

5 a of meter reading, a. recorder comprisingv a plurality oi.' oharaetersensing ele ments. coupling means i'or connecting said recorder with ametering device. a plurality of inrecorder. and means i'or m actuatingsaid index elements successively during said metering device.

20. In a reco 15 movable incrementally and relatively tol their adjacentelements lower in decimal order, the methcd of attaining a reading cieach element without its incremental accumulation which comprises theprocedure of rst selecting the lowermost selection with respect to eachhigher element under the control or its adjacent lower element until theseries is traversed, transterr-ing a reading to a non-incrementalrecorder 30 ci.' all of said elements in said series, and thereafterpermitting all of said elements to resume their yieldably urged normalposition.

21. In a system of meter reading, a meter havcoupling ilxtures forconfining and guiding said meter and said device in pivotal cooperation,and motion communicating elements in said meter succes- 4o sivelycommunicable with said device during the course ot said pivotalcooperation.

22. In a system for recording metering information, a meter having amultiplicity of componcnt indices, a recording device, means tor de;

4,5 tachably associating said recording device with said metercomprising coupling tlxtnres for promating consecutive degrees tweensaid device and said meter during coupling engagement, and means tocommunicate a set- 50 ting from said component indices to said recordingdevice consecutively during the convergent association of said meter andsaid device.

23. In a recording system, a plurality ci rotatable xecording elements.interrelated driving 55 means between said elements in consecutivedecimal ratios, indices associated with each of said elements havingmarks thereon at regular angular intervals, yieldable connectionsbetween each of said elements and its associated index, and o means formoving said indices backwardly in consecutive succession to alignprevious marhngs thereof through a single mechanical movement. 24. In arecording system in which rotatable indicating elements in a series aremovable increes mentally and relativelyin accordance with a consecutiveorder. the method of establishing a corrective alignment of each elementwithout its in cremental accumulation which comprises the steps ofmoving the element ot the lowest order 70 backwardly to its previousdigital alignment. del der the control ct said lowest element thepropriety ot moving backward the second element ct the digital order inthe series. repeating the last described determination succesy; sivelywith each higher element under the control of its aeent lower elementuntil the series is traverseduand'transicrring a reading to anonincremental recorder of all of said elements in said series in theircondition of alignment.

25. In a recording system. aplxn-aiityofrotan 5 able indicators havingat spaced peripheral inter. vals character indices, interrelated drivingmeans cach associated with one of said indicators, yieldable connectionsbetween each driving means and its associated indicator, and individualcorrecting levers (or moving said indicators in a backward directiononly. including means for actuating each correcting lever successivelyuntil there is aligned an exact index.

said suide means responsive to an out-of-alignrecord receiving materialfor preventing said operative association. In a metering device, aseries of indicating elements. one corresponding to each digit of anumber. a plin'ality ci members each with one ci' said elements I orretreating tractional attainments to restore each element to analignment tor displaying exact integer setting., and means to rendersaid teetive successively in an ascending numerical order.

28. In an integer indicating device, a seriesof indicators arranged in adecimal order. scar means included in said device to move 'saidindicators incrementally in a d progressive sequence. means to returnsaid indicators temporarily to a preceding exact integer position,apparatus for conditioning said last mentioned means, andsprings torrestoring said indicators to their preceding positions. o

29. In a metering apparatus, a series of geared indicating and recordingelements decimally related in an ascending digital order. a plurality ordevices for applying a decremental movement each associated with one ofsaid indicating and 5 recording elements and normally eifective toreturnsaidelementstotheirprecedingexact integer positions, and meansoperative by a single manual application to render said deviceseffective to position said elemen successively. 30. In a meteringapparatus, a series of geared indicating and recording elements, integercharacter wheels cach associated with one of said elements includingspring means for urging each wheel to assume the position of itsassociatedV element, a plurality of devices for applying a decrementalmovement to each ci said wheels only for retracting said wheels topreceding exact integer positions, and means under the control of eachwheel in an ascending order to so determine the enectiveness of itsadjacent device. 3l. In a system of numerical transfer, a decimal seriesof integer recorders, a' corresponding decimal series of integer indexeseach index of which is capable of innite variations of position. meanse5 for transferring the indications of said indexes to theircorresponding ones ot said recorders, and apparatus associated with saidtransfer means including a consecutively controlled correction devicefor electing deinite values for ones of said indexes whose chanceposition is intermediate two deilnite values. 82. In an indicatingdevice, a sexies of movable geared members, an indicator associated witheach geared member. and a resilient connection i6

